Republic of Korea | World Heritage Explorer

The Republic of Korea has been a State Party to the World Heritage Convention since 1988. With 17 inscribed properties, the country is one of the more prominent contributors to the World Heritage List. The majority of its sites are cultural properties, reflecting a strong emphasis on historical and architectural heritage.

Republic of Korea as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: September 14, 1988

Status: Acceptance

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: 1997-2003, 2005-2009, 2013-2017, 2023-2027

Total of Mandate Years: 18

Total of Mandates: 4

WHC Electoral Group: IV (Asia/Pacific)

World Heritage Sites in Republic of Korea (17)

Cultural: 15 | Natural: 2 | Mixed: 0

Baekje Historic Areas · Cultural
Changdeokgung Palace Complex · Cultural
Gaya Tumuli · Cultural
Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats · Natural
Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites · Cultural
Gyeongju Historic Areas · Cultural
Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Panjeon, the Depositories for the Tripitaka Koreana Woodblocks · Cultural
Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong · Cultural
Hwaseong Fortress · Cultural
Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes · Natural
Jongmyo Shrine · Cultural
Namhansanseong · Cultural
Petroglyphs along the Bangucheon Stream · Cultural
Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty · Cultural
Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries in Korea · Cultural
Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple · Cultural
Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies · Cultural

Map of World Heritage Sites

This interactive map shows the location of all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Republic of Korea.

Tentative World Heritage Sites (13)

Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats (Extension) · submitted: May 25, 2023
Sites of the Busan Wartime Capital · submitted: May 16, 2023
Archaeological Remains at the Hoeamsa Temple Site in Yangju City · submitted: July 20, 2022
Stone Buddhas and Pagodas at Hwasun Unjusa Temple · submitted: January 24, 2017
Capital Fortifications of Hanyang : Hangyangdoseong Capital City Wall, Bukhansanseong Mountain Fortress and Tangchundaeseong Defense Wall · submitted: November 23, 2012
Naganeupseong, Town Fortress and Village · submitted: March 11, 2011
Oeam Village · submitted: March 11, 2011
Upo Wetland · submitted: January 11, 2011
Salterns · submitted: January 11, 2010
Ancient Mountain Fortresses in Central Korea · submitted: January 11, 2010
Sites of fossilized dinosaurs throughout the Southern seacoast · submitted: January 25, 2002
Kangjingun Kiln Sites · submitted: September 1, 1994
Mt. Soraksan Nature Reserve · submitted: September 1, 1994

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile Republic of Korea

Official Name: Republic of Korea

Continent: Asia

Subregion: Eastern Asia

UNESCO Region: Asia and the Pacific

Capital: Seoul

Population (2024): 51,751,065

Land Area: 97,600 km²

Currency: South Korean won (KRW)

Country Data Sources

Links

UNESCO World Heritage Convention: State Party Republic of Korea

About States Parties

States Parties are countries that have joined the World Heritage Convention. They commit to identifying, nominating, and protecting properties of outstanding cultural or natural value on their territory. States Parties are also expected to monitor and report on the condition of inscribed sites.

World Heritage Insights

How Politics and Institutions Shape the UNESCO World Heritage List

The UNESCO World Heritage List is usually seen as a catalogue of the world’s most important cultural and natural places. Yet behind every inscription there is a structured decision process: countries must first join the Convention, run for a seat on the World Heritage Committee, prepare nominations through a fixed procedure, and finally obtain enough votes for inscription.

World Heritage Info

Background

Learn about UNESCO, the World Heritage Convention, Tentative Lists, and how World Heritage Sites are selected and preserved. Explore the history, structures, and processes that protect humanity’s cultural and natural treasures.

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